Let’s say you’ve done your calculations on your airtime down to the pennies. You’ve calculated transfer rates. You know how much you pay for airtime. So you think that sending an 15 kb email (with compression) over your Iridium 9555 will take two seconds and, therefore (at $1.44 a minute), cost you five cents.
So you would be surprised when you find out that that email would actually cost forty cents.
Where’s the airtime billing difference coming from?
Minimum billing increments: gobbling up airtime behind your back.
Minimum billing increments refer to how your satellite airtime use is calculated. Instead of simply counting up seconds and kilobytes by exactly how many you use (say, charging you for 32 seconds of voice airtime if you talk for 32 seconds) airtime is calculated in chunks of time, even if you don’t end up using all the airtime in the chunk you’re being charged for.
Every carrier has them, so unless you opt for a broadband unit like the Iridium Pilot, you’ll end up calculating them into your costs. Iridium, for example, has a 20 second minimum billing increment for voice or data. An average Iridium minute for a handheld unit like the 9555 or the 9575 is $1.44, so each billing increment is $0.48.
Taking into consideration the minimum billing increments, a phone call over an Iridium handheld that lasts 20 seconds will cost $0.48, but a call that lasts 21 seconds will cost $0.96.
That’s an expensive extra second.
Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro has a 15 second increment for voice, with a minimum billing amount of 30 seconds. (And make sure you count in the full minute it takes to connect).
Globalstar has a fairly reasonable data minimum billing increment of 15 seconds (great for email checks, especially since Globalstar generally has a very fast connection speed). Its minimum billing increment for voice is rough, though: a whole minute minimum and 30 seconds thereafter.
Even broadband units aren't immune. Inmarsat FleetBroadband, for example, has a 30 second minimum voice charge, and 15 second increments thereafter. For data, it has a 50 kb charge to connect, and a 50 kb charge to disconnect. After the FleetBroadband is on, data is charged in 10 kb increments.
The FleetBroadband data connection costs could be nearly completely mitigated by simply keeping the system on all the time (which is what the Iridium Pilot does). Many people don’t do that, however, because they’re afraid of running up their airtime bills if their laptop decides to update automatically (which is why we highly recommend Optimizer - it completely blocks all unwanted traffic over your satellite feed).
Iridium Pilot Has No Minimum Billing Increment for Data
One of the reasons we were so excited about the Iridium Pilot is that the Pilot
doesn’t have a minimum billing increment for data. And while it still counts in the typical Iridium billing increments for voice, there aren’t the connection times to pay for (since the unit is always connected). There are no connection costs, no minimum billing increments for data - you just pay for what you use. It’s simple, clear, and fair. Check out our
dedicated page on the Iridium Pilotfor more information.
Unless you go with the Pilot (or finagle your FleetBroadband), you’ll be dealing with billing increments, so it’s good to keep them in the back of your mind when comparing carriers and phones. Billing increments are rough on satellite airtime bills, and we feel your pain. Until the day they disappear completely (and we may be seeing the end, given Iridium's new data billing with the Pilot), we'll let you know which pitfalls to look for and how to get the best deals for your satellite airtime bill.
Inmarsat has announced that the promised firmware update to the IsatPhone Pro is available for download from isatphonelive.com/support
This new firmware version 5.3.0 fixes a fault with versions 5.1.0 and 5.2.0 that causes the battery not to charge when the phone is turned off.
IsatPhone Pro users please note! This is a MANDATORY FIRMWARE UPGRADE. Inmarsat recommends that ALL IsatPhone Pro users upgrade their phones at the earliest opportunity. All phones must upgrade by the deadline of 31 December 2013. Without the upgrade, users will experience problems connecting to the network.
Download IsatPhone Pro Firmware Version 5.3.0
http://www.inmarsattx.com/IsatPhone_Pro_Firmware/IsatPhone_Pro_firmware_version_5_3_0.zip
IsatPhone Pro Firmware 5.3.0 Release Note
http://www.inmarsattx.com/IsatPhone_Pro_Firmware/IsatPhone_Pro_firmware_ 5_3_0_release_note.pdf
About Global Marine Networks, LLC
Global Marine Networks (GMN), creates leading edge data solutions for the IsatPhone Pro and is considered a leader in advancing satellite data speeds and services. Recognized by Inmarsat as a Solutions Provider GMN helps Fixed and Mobile Satellite Services providers and their customers by offering the industry’s fastest, most reliable and easy-to-use email, web, and other hardware and software services to maritime, oil and gas, first responder and business continuity users. The company’s products include XGate high-speed satellite email, WeatherNet weather and oceanographic data software, and vessel tracking systems.
Ship to shore network management solutions are sold by GMN under the RedPort Global brand name at http://www.redportglobal.com and as white-label solutions for the world’s premier satellite data service providers.
GMN has numerous awards and certifications for technical innovation and holds pending patents on its products. For more information on how GMN is Making Airtime Count™ – whether ship to shore, or in remote or emergency communications environments visit www.globalmarinenet.com.
PLEASE NOTE: The fix is now available. You can find details here: http://web.globalmarinenet.com/blog/bid/267098/IsatPhone-Pro-Faulty-Firmware-Fix-Now-Available
Inmarsat has announced a fault in firmware versions 5.1.0 and 5.2.0 (the latest) in IsatPhone Pro handsets with IMEI number above 353032041133824.
The battery on these phones does not charge while the handset is switched off. If the battery is allowed to run flat, then it becomes impossible to charge the phone unless a new, pre-charged battery is fitted.
Inmarsat expects to release a firmware update that will resolve this problem by February 8, 2013.
To check your handset's IMEI number and firmware version, use the phone's Menu and go to <Settings> <About>.
If you have an affected handset, Inmarsat recommends the following:
- Keep the phone switched ON during charging
- Maintain a full to half-charge
- Upgrade to the new version of firmware when it becomes available
We will post instructions to upgrade the firmware as soon as Inmarsat makes it available.
About Global Marine Networks, LLC
Global Marine Networks (GMN), creates leading edge data solutions for the IsatPhone Pro and is considered a leader in advancing satellite data speeds and services. Recognized by Inmarsat as a Solutions Provider GMN helps Fixed and Mobile Satellite Services providers and their customers by offering the industry’s fastest, most reliable and easy-to-use email, web, and other hardware and software services to maritime, oil and gas, first responder and business continuity users. The company’s products include XGate high-speed satellite email, WeatherNet weather and oceanographic data software, and vessel tracking systems.
Ship to shore network management solutions are sold by GMN under the RedPort Global brand name at http://www.redportglobal.com and as white-label solutions for the world’s premier satellite data service providers.
GMN has numerous awards and certifications for technical innovation and holds pending patents on its products. For more information on how GMN is Making Airtime Count™ – whether ship to shore, or in remote or emergency communications environments visit www.globalmarinenet.com.
You asked for it...a video on how to use XGate Satellite Phone Email Service. We've delivered.
Watch as Dr. Luis Soltero demonstrates XGate, using the new GMN Optimizer to WiFi connect with an IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phone.
Do you have an Iridium 9555 or Extreme 9575 instead? No worries, this video series is neither satellite phone nor computer specific. All satellite phone owners including Iridium OpenPort, Inmarsat FleetBroadband, Globalstar and Thuraya users will find useful information here. In addition, XGate is compatible with Windows OS, Mac OSX, Linux, Apple iOS (i.e. iPad, iPhone, iPodTouch) and Android smartphones.
These new videos explain:
- how to register for XGate satellite email service
- how to download and install XGate software on your computer
- what is a firewall and why it is important when using your satellite phone
- how the Optimizer can save you valuable satellite airtime
- how to create and send/receive email in iScribe, the built-in email component
- how to update your Twitter account (or FaceBook or LinkedIn) with your satellite phone
- an email session in real time
Watch and enjoy!
Part 1: Download, Install, Register XGate Satellite Phone Email
Part 2: Send/Receive Email
Part 3: Update Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn
Thank you for watching!
Click below if you would like to try XGate for yourself. No satellite phone is necessary!
We have many more helpful videos available. Learn about Web browsing using a satellite phone; the differences between the GMN Optimizer and the Iridium AxcessPoint WiFi Device. Click below to go directly to our Videos page.
Don't have a satellite communication system yet? Confused about all the options? Let our experts (many of whom have spent years on the water...on boats) help you design a system to meet your needs. Click below to get started.
Thanks Again!
Please keep those suggestions coming and we will do all we can to keep you informed.
Inmarsat Offers New Prepaid Airtime Services in U.S.
Inmarsat now offers global prepaid satellite services, for both voice and data, for all existing land and maritime services including IsatPhonePro, BGAN, FleetPhone and FleetBroadband.
This is great news for those that have been frustrated by being unable to use their Inmarsat prepaid services while in the U.S. and its territorial waters. Customers can now use a single device for voice and data across the globe.
Prepaid services are very popular with those that prefer not to commit to a contract and/or needing only short-term or seasonal service.
GMN Celebrates with Inmarsat Airtime Savings Bundle
GMN celebrates this positive change with a new Inmarsat Airtime Savings Bundle which includes a free Optimizer! Optimizer lets you access emails easily, browse the web, download your favorite weather files and avoid runaway satellite phone airtime bills thanks to its powerful firewall. Check out this and other great offers and see how XGate satellite email is included too.
For your convenience, here's links to airtime for IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, FleetPhone and FleetBroadband services.
Celebrate! Check out the Savings Bundles now!
Posted by
John Dark on Wed, Jul 11, 2012 @ 12:15 PM
Now, Android smartphone and tablet users can access email and accelerated web browsing with XGate for Android, and the RedPort Optimizer.
There's nothing like the convenience of staying in touch via email and the web with your Android device - but what happens when you're away from cellular or Wi-Fi connections? Satellite phones and terminals can provide service anywhere in the world, but data rates are slow and/or expensive compared to land-based wireless services. XGate, when paired with the RedPort Optimizer, solves these problems.
XGate satellite phone email is the easy way to access email while on the water or in remote locations. XGate is simply the fastest, easiest and most reliable satellite phone email available, saving you time, money and frustration.
Optimizer works as a firewall, and creates a Wi-Fi hotspot from the USB port of any compatible handheld satellite phone, or to the ethernet port of any satellite broadband terminal. Android users can connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot, and use XGate to access accelerated email and web service. XGate even controls the satellite data link - dialing and hanging up as needed.
XGate, the world's leading independent satellite phone email service has been connecting computer users with satellite phone email and web service for over 10 years. 2011 saw the introduction of the XGate for iOS app for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch. Now, XGate for Android brings the speed and convenience of XGate to millions of Android users.
The Android app is a free download in the Google Play store. Its use requires an active XGate subscription.
Recently we were contacted by a cruiser that wanted to get GRIB files onto his iPad over a satellite phone while at sea. He was looking for the least expensive way to do this. Knowing the Isatphone Pro handset costs less than the Iridium 9555 or Iridium Extreme, he had some questions:
1) Could he get GRIB files onto his Ipad with the IsatPhone Pro
2) How long it would take for a typical GRIB file download, and
3) How should he compare the total price of hardware and service between the IsatPhone Pro and Iridium offerings?
Excellent questions and here are the answers:
1) Yes, You can download GRIB files to your iPad (or any iOS device, like an iPod Touch or iPhone) using an IsatPhone Pro - with the Optimizer satellite firewall and Wi-Fi hotspot
What You Need:
1. an IsatPhone Pro
2. an iPad or other Apple iOS device
3. either iNavX or Weather4D weather software
4. an Optimizer satellite firewall and Wi-Fi hotspot
5. XGate satellite email service App
You can use the identical setup with and Iridium phone, or a similar setup with the Iridum AxcessPoint and Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web App.
Let's look at the elements of this:
- Optimizer's firewall ensures that all of the very narrow IsatPhone data feed is available.
- Optimizer's Wi-Fi hotspot allows the iPad to connect to the data feed.
- iNavX and Weather4D work with XGate so when you request a GRIB file, the request is sent to XGate.
-XGate then sends the GRIB file request as an email, and receives the reply email from the GRIB file provider.
How Long Does It Take to Download a GRIB File over a Satellite Phone?
There are two calls that need to be made - first the request, then the download of the file. The first call can generally be done in the minimum calling increment of the satellite service:
IsatPhone minimum calling increment: 1 minute
Iridium minimum calling increment: 20 seconds
Then, you can look at the time it will take to download the reply email from the GRIB service (For this example, we are using a 3 day GRIB File with 12 forecasts of wind every 6 hours arrows every degree for the size of the Caribbean sea) :
When using the IsatPhone it takes a full minute to bring up a connection on an IsatPhone before you start downloading data. Once connected you can transfer about 12Kbytes of data per minute. A typical GRIB file is about 15Kbytes. So, it takes a bit over a minute to download this grib file on an IsatPhone. 1 minute to connect + 2 minute of airtime to download (one minute plus a few seconds is billed as two minutes) = 3 minutes of airtime
IsatPhone Pro billing time to request and receive a GRIB file: 4 minutes
Iridium runs a bit faster: 18Kbytes per minute on an iPad is routinely seen. It takes 20 seconds to get connected to the network and the billing increment is 20 seconds. So you are looking at 4 billing increments, or 1.33 minutes, to download the same file.
Iridium billing time to request and receive a GRIB file: 1.66 minutes
How Much Does It Cost To Request and Recieve a GRIB File?
Based on some typical airtime plans, let's do the math to compare pricing.
Lets assume that you your have a 100 minute prepaid airtime plan for IsatPhone... the retail price for this is $99 or $1 per minute. In this case:
IsatPhone airtime costs to request and receive a grib file: $4.00
For an Iridium user with a 500 minute plan the cost is $1.29 per minute or .43 cents per billing increment. In this case:
Iridium airtime costs to request and receive a grib file: $2.15
Total Cost of Ownership
Baseline costs: the IsatPhone costs about $595 and the Iridium 9555 costs $1,195. However, additional hardware such as a dock or external antenna, must-haves for most boaters, will eliminate any hardware pricing advantage. The options are complex, but should be called out. A firewall/Wi-Fi hotspot is required for either service and should be factored in.
Additionally, your time has value - if you're staring at your screen waiting for a download, is that worth the $1.85/minute difference in this example to you? Maybe, maybe not.
The short answer is that for heavy data users who will be using their service for years, the Iridium solution is preferred due to the extra speed and lower price for airtime. For light users or those who will only be out on the water a limited time, the IsatPhone Pro will likely cost less depending on accessories, and will certainly work well when paired with Optimizer.
Take Away: Yes, you can download GRIBS at sea over your IsatPhone Pro or Iridium 9555. Contact us to help you compare total costs.
Please contact us if you have more questions!
Posted by
John Dark on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 @ 01:55 PM
Cruising World Magazine Recommends Global Marine Networks' XGate software for satellite phone email, web, blogging
We're blushing after another great mention from our friends at Cruising World Magazine. In the print edition of the publication, Editor Mark Pillsbury says:
"The other key piece to the data upload and download puzzle came from Global Marine Networks, a company that provides soup-to-nuts satellite-communications products. Its
XGate software let me find and download
GRIB files, and I could send and receive emails. Better yet, the
blogging module made filling daily reports a breeze, including highly compressed photos sent via sat phone. The company's products, coupled with very patient customer-service and help desk assistance, were invaluable when it came to keeping in touch with friends, family, work, and readers for the 16 days away. I'm sure ?you could piece together all the various bits, but having tried in vain to do so on my own for several nights, I'd say don't bother to reinvent that particular wheel - GMN has done the work for you."
Posted by
John Dark on Sun, Aug 21, 2011 @ 07:13 AM
Use Twitter with your Iridium satellite phone - or XGate satellite phone email account
Twitter only continues to grow as a way to update family and friends with your travels and adventures - in 140 character bursts. While many of our customers like blogging in detail using
Sailblogs with their
Iridium or
Inmarsat satellite phones, Twitter is great for short updates. It's easy and inexpensive to update your Twitter feed using your
Iridium 9555 satellite phone. Follow the steps and you'll be tweeting soon:
Twitter from your Iridium Satellite Phone
Step 1 – Before you travel
Before you depart for your trip, visit
Twittermail.com and allow this website to access your existing Twitter account. You will be given a unique email address (xxxxxx@twittermail.com) which you will use to send your Twitter updates from the satellite phone.
You might want to test the set-up before your trip, so turn on your satellite phone, go outside and register it in the Iridium network and proceed to Step 2. (Don’t have an Iridium or Inmsarsat phone yet? Get one in our
satellite phone store at globalmarinenet.com.)
Step 2 – During your travel
Send an email message from your Iridium phone to the Twittermail.com email address. Here is how to do this:
Create a new text message (SMS) on your Iridium phone.
Enter the following in the message body: your Twittermail address[space]Twitter message. For example, “xxxxxx@twittermail.com Just arrived in port. Fair winds the whole way!” Don’t forget about the 140-symbol limit for any Twitter update.
When asked for the recipient phone number, enter *2. Proceed to sending the message. You’re done — your message should appear on your Twitter page within minutes.
Twitter Via XGate Satellite Phone Email
Of course you can send your Tweets from your
XGate satellite phone email service as well, to supplement the convenience of having satellite phone email. Similar to sending an SMS, simply enter the following in the message body: your Twittermail address[space]Twitter message. For example, “xxxxxx@twittermail.com Just arrived in port. Fair winds the whole way!” Don’t forget about the 140-symbol limit for any Twitter update.
Good luck!